Motorsport Marshal - The Day at The Races

The Day At The Races

A marshal is expected to attend the signing on session in the early morning at which they will be designated a post they will be working at. Once they have been assigned a post they will make their way to it and be signed in. Here they must have their registration card which will be handed to the observer. Each group of marshals would usually work in twos, Flag Marshals would remain outside the observer post and Incident Marshals would usually work in two pairs. Before the first race is to commence each pair of Incident Marshals must ensure that they have with them one white (AFF Foam) and one blue (Dry Powder) fire extinguisher at their designated marshaling point. If not, they must retrieve them and these are placed to one side of them, 10 metres (33 ft) away from the post.

At the end of each race Incident Marshals would swap places with the other Incident Marshals ready for the next race to commence.

After the final race is completed, Incident Marshals would take their extinguishers back to the observer post to be locked away in the metal box along with the flags and broom, as well as a bucket of sawdust used to clean up spilt oil. Once this is done, the marshal would be handed back their card with an observer's signature to show they had done their part. By then, with nothing else to do, they are free to go home, although many would go to the circuit's bar, where drinks would be provided, to have a drink and converse with other marshals about their experience that day.

When a marshal gains their experience, they will be advised to invest in membership of a marshals club for insurance purposes, as well as an orange fire retardant suit, as this is the chosen colour, due to the fact it does not clash with any other flags. It is true though that any orange clothing is encouraged as well as a worker's safety tabbard.